CND...so true. Grass feed Beef is great...better still Bison. We regularly eat Bison as "by law" it is organic. Unfortunately other people are catching on and the prices have gone up. We used to get ground bison at about $5 a pound now it is close to $8
@KMS you forgot swimming in the irrigation canals, drinking from the tubes and eating freash fruits and vegetables without washing them. By the way, DDT was still used until I was in high school.
Then I found this recipe which mixes equal parts water, vinegar, and isopropyl alcohol, with a few drops of dish soap. Ahh, Eureka! The alcohol helps create that streak-free shine because it evaporates so quickly, and the dish soap gives it some extra grime-fighting oomph! After testing out a small area, I was in love. I proceeded to clean the ENTIRE house in one go – yep, that's how happy I was. I was so proud of my gleaming laminate floors, I literally couldn't stop smiling :) Even the
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hubby noticed how clean and shiny they were, and he never notices anything – so I took that as a huge compliment!
@ Pam D & Rivka - so even w/using a few drops of dish det. no rinsing is needed and there's no film or residue??? Definitely will have to try this. Also, can this be used on mirrors, windows etc??
OOPS - you just SAID that didn't you Rivka??? HELLO . . . . . . ; ~ )
I have never had the opportunity to try this method myself, but I've heard for years that tea bags work very well to clean hardwood floors. The tannin in the tea is the key ingredient. Steep a couple of family-sized tea bags in boiling water, pour tea into bucket, clean floor with soft tea-dampened cloth.
If you try this technique I'd love to hear your opinion!
and I still say wwood and water do not mix. Unless your wood floors are really sealed you should not use water. ask any good craftsman that lays good wood floors and they will tell you the same eventially the water will cause the floor to split,discolor,think rings on your wood tables or a grand piano.
@ Ruth K...exactly. The less water the better. The towel method I use is so "dry" that no "drops" can be wrung from it. any one who uses a "bucket" and a mop is asking for an early demise.
OK, well, this is true but I go over my floor with a microfiber cloth. I forgot to mention that. Plus I use a 'rag' mop from Libman which I can squeeze out much dryer than I ever did my sponge mops.
@Stephanie - I have never heard of using tea but all but herbal teas are nothing more than tannic acid. I suppose that the tea would cut any oily/greasy substance on the floor. The water will get the dirt.
our hardwoods are 20yrs old.. and yes, they could use a refinish.. I use Orange Glo polish/cleaner - which I have not yet seen mentioned here! For everyday/week cleaning I have tried just about everything and they all seem to leave streaks. I just accept it .. until I use the orange glo (1x a month typically)
They make my dull floors shine! Guessing its all just build up. Hoping to get out of this house w/o paying for a refinish..
ha! after reading these posts, it seems that cleaning wood floors is a little of a pest and maybe we shouldn't be installing them LOL yes i have them too : )
one bottle) because it can build up and then needs to be stripped just like mop and glo for tle. I didn't want to deal with that so I use the vinegar/water solution as well as a "tea wash" every 3 months.
I cut the vinegar in half with water; the doggie drool, coffee, and soda pop dribbles are a thing of the past! Don't use dish soap because it will leave a residue. I put it in an O'Cedar spray mop with a microfober pad, like a Swifter only it's refillable with whatever you want to use.
@Pam D, the alcohol makes sense. We use it at work to cut clean electrical connectors any many other parts. Everything is de-energized of course.
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@Stephanie M, I'll give it a try on the stuborn area where the dog waits for her treats.
ok, I love Bona, but I have run out & need to get some so I just tried the water, vinegar, alcohol, dish soap recipe. I just put some into a spray bottle got a rag & got on my knees so I can see up close how well it works & I LOVE IT!!!!!!!
I have 2 boys that play lacrosse & football, a daughter that is a competitive gymnast, a husband, a dog & I work for my dad. Many times I am just happy to get the floor swept & right now it
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looks like the day it was installed. Now to keep everyone off the floor downstairs ;-D
i finally gave and cleaned my floors with warm water and vinegar today. i will agree that it cleans just as good as household cleaners ... but if I want a shine on my 20yr floors I have to use Orange Glo. Yeah.. they need to be refinished but I am going to let the next homeowner do it!
Anyone else have my dilemma? Im guessing Orange Glo is just building up .. maybe I need to strip them, or is that a big/professional job?
Becky sue...the dullness is two fold...the first has to do with the wear and tear in the floors finish.
I you can imagine a brand new shiny piece of furniture....then rub that surface with some super fine sand paper....the finish will no longer be shiny...this has to do with the "abrasion" of the finish where the light rays no longer reflect. This same process happens to a floor but instead of
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the sand paper is is normal dirt and grime over many years.
The second area is cleaning residue...imagine that same shiny piece of furniture now add some dilute dish soap and let is dry on the surface hear you will be left with a sticky dull residue...this residue will attract more dirt and contribute to problem no 1 above.. In the soap residue dept a though a complete "rinse" can make it look better.
OOPS - you just SAID that didn't you Rivka??? HELLO . . . . . . ; ~ )
If you try this technique I'd love to hear your opinion!
You're just up the road from me - yeah!! Another Virginia neighbor!!!
@Stephanie - I have never heard of using tea but all but herbal teas are nothing more than tannic acid. I suppose that the tea would cut any oily/greasy substance on the floor. The water will get the dirt.
They make my dull floors shine! Guessing its all just build up. Hoping to get out of this house w/o paying for a refinish..
one bottle) because it can build up and then needs to be stripped just like mop and glo for tle. I didn't want to deal with that so I use the vinegar/water solution as well as a "tea wash" every 3 months.
@Pam D, the alcohol makes sense. We use it at work to cut clean electrical connectors any many other parts. Everything is de-energized of course. ...»
@Stephanie M, I'll give it a try on the stuborn area where the dog waits for her treats.
I have 2 boys that play lacrosse & football, a daughter that is a competitive gymnast, a husband, a dog & I work for my dad. Many times I am just happy to get the floor swept & right now it ...»
Anyone else have my dilemma? Im guessing Orange Glo is just building up .. maybe I need to strip them, or is that a big/professional job?
I you can imagine a brand new shiny piece of furniture....then rub that surface with some super fine sand paper....the finish will no longer be shiny...this has to do with the "abrasion" of the finish where the light rays no longer reflect. This same process happens to a floor but instead of ...»
The second area is cleaning residue...imagine that same shiny piece of furniture now add some dilute dish soap and let is dry on the surface hear you will be left with a sticky dull residue...this residue will attract more dirt and contribute to problem no 1 above.. In the soap residue dept a though a complete "rinse" can make it look better.